Hillsborough Girls Getting Defensive This Season

It was two years ago, while Durant's girls were making their run to the state final four, that they beat Hillsborough 1-0.

This year, The Terriers rebounded, remaining the only undefeated team in Hillsborough County with a 2-0 win against the Cougars in the final of the Tampa Bay Tech Invitational held during the holidays.

``We thought that if we played our best it would be a very good game,'' Hillsborough coach Ron Fedeles said.

``We were able to bother [Alicia] Tirelli enough and once we got the first goal, it really boosted our confidence,'' he said. ``I told [Durant coach Dick Sheffield] that we had looked at their run and success. We used that team as a model as to how we could win.''

Using a stingy defense, conceding only four goals in 12 games, the Terriers are preparing for a possible state run next month.

``There has been an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball, continuing to build the concept that defense is something the whole team plays, not just the back four,'' Fedeles said. ``We have an exceptional goalkeeper, which certainly helped the team early in the season when we were having to start five freshman.''

Three of those players are starting in the defensive unit right now, with twin sisters Holly and Maddie Sewell anchoring the center of the defense, while right back Sarah Molloy splits time with junior Becca Miller. They are commanded by senior goalkeeper Emily Fedeles, who has eight shutouts on the season so far.

``The team's chemistry has grown since the beginning of the season also,'' Fedeles said. ``Everyone is working for each other, I think that no one wants to let her teammates down.''

Up front, senior Laura Scaglione is leading the way with 14 goals on the season. Partnered with another freshman, Sara Belsole, who has nine goals, they are providing the goals, but also spearheading the defensive movement by pressuring opposing defenses into mistakes and bad passes.

``We've made sure that everyone is playing defense,'' Fedeles said. ``It can't be just your defenders, you have to have everyone on the same page when it comes to defending. We've stressed to the team that they may not be on a team as good as this in the future, and the opportunity they have here.''

BERKELEY PREP: While Bloomingdale is now ranked No. 1 in the National Soccer Coaches of America Poll, it is important to give credit as to how close Berkeley Prep came to beating the Bulls in the Student Sports Soccer tournament during the holidays. Ahead 2-0 with 10 minutes to play, the Buccaneers would almost certainly have pulled off the upset if not for the arduous tournament schedule, the Bulls' extra depth leading to their dramatic come-from-behind win with two goals from Alex Muniz and the game-winner from Tom Davison with barely two minutes left to play.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Scott Strickland, Berkeley Prep: Strickland scored twice in the Buccaneers' 3-2 victory against Orlando Lake Highland Prep on Tuesday, and along with Tyler Davis has been a driving force in their strong season.

GAMES TO WATCH: Brandon at King, Tuesday, 8 p.m. The Eagles come off a runners-up spot to Jesuit in the Student Sports Soccer tournament to face district opponent King. Centerback Jermaine Walters had a strong tournament, being named the bracket's defensive MVP, and also scored in their first post-holiday game, a 3-0 win against Middleton.

Riverview at Bloomingdale, Friday, 6 p.m. Bloomingdale will look to stay in position for a high seed for the Class 6A-District 6 tournament. With Bloomingdale, Durant, Sarasota Riverview and Riverview all vying for a position in the state tournament, which teams receive a bye in the first round of the six-team tournament could be a key factor in determining the tournament's outcome.